CASSOPOLIS — Amidst claps, moos, sips of coffee and chomps of cinnamon rolls from a nearby fair food vendor, Mary Tharp added another ribbon to her 2019 collection.

Tharp continued a succession of award wins Monday morning when she took first place in the senior class dairy cow showmanship exhibition at the Cass County Fair in Cassopolis.

The day before, the 17-year-old homeschooled student and her dog received first in obedience, second in showmanship and third in agility at the fair’s dog showmanship exhibition.

The competition was much smaller Monday — she had only one other competitor — but Tharp said the showings go far beyond outperforming rivals for ribbons.

“I’ve found out it’s more about the relationship between you and your animal,” she said. “If you have a good relationship, then you’ll probably do well.”

Besides, the competition usually is not fierce, she said.

“I love the friendly competition, I really do, and the responsibility that comes with taking care of your animals,” Tharp said. “You learn a lot about yourself and about the animals.”

Tharp and her cow, Valentine, worked for weeks to prepare for the 10-minute showing. Free time was spent working Valentine out to build her muscles, managing her, shaving her and spending time with her to build trust. It culminated in a few walks around an arena ring and a short talk with the judge.

The work put in, she said, may be something not realized by new watchers of the exhibition.

Tharp, who has been showing for the past seven years, had to work especially hard with Valentine. The cow had never been shown before.

Valentine’s strong personality made Tharp spend extra time with her animal to make sure she behaved well at the showing. Judges not only look at dairy cows for an ideal build and musculature, they also look at how well the cow and exhibitor and the exhibitor and judge get along.

Valentine was jumpy at the showing arena, but 28-year veteran judge Sherry Meyer said Tharp and her competitor, Stephanie Bigelow, handled their cows well.

Tharp said the relationship with an animal is the most important part of showing, both at the event and before.

Building that relationship was one piece of advice she gave to younger exhibitioners.

Minutes before Tharp came out into the center of the arena, the Cloverbud group of exhibitioners walked in with their dairy calves. It was the first showing for many of the 5- to 7-year-old children, and some cows took advantage of their inexperience.

As the Cloverbud group walked their cows in the circle for Meyer to view them, many calves tried to stop moving or to speed up, causing the children to either dig the heels of their boots into the ground or yank on their halters.

Tharp also recommended to make the judge the focus of the showing. The judge, after all, gives the awards.

“The first year’s a trial year,” she said. “Give it two years at least. The judge is the most important person in the ring. Look at the judge.”

Tharp will vie for another first-place finish Wednesday at the youth beef show at 9 a.m. at the Show/Sale Arena.